On The Spot -- Off The Cuff Was On The Air

HOUSTON — Candidate Louie Welch's inadvertently broadcast statement to ''shoot the queers'' to control AIDS outraged the homosexual community, but an analyst said it likely would change few votes.

Welch, running for mayor, made the comment into a microphone that was left open by mistake at the start of the 5 p.m. news on KTRK-TV Thursday. He apologized for the comment.

The news anchor opened the show by saying Welch in a live interview would outline his four-point plan to control AIDS, an issue in the municipal election Nov. 5 because of the large homo- sexual community in Houston.

In an off-camera aside, Welch said, ''One of them is to shoot the queers.'' Welch, 66, mayor of Houston for five terms in past years, is running against Mayor Kathy Whitmire, who has received strong support from homosexuals.

Welch's comment interrupted a story on a helicopter crash, but was clearly heard by viewers. The newscast continued as though the interruption had not happened.

''I joined President Reagan in a real gaffe,'' Welch said later. ''President Reagan survived his, and it had more international import so I'll survive mine. I didn't bomb Russia, but I apologize.''

University of Houston political scientist Richard Murray said the statement would sway some marginal voters but have little general impact.

He said Welch's statement would have more political impact than Reagan's statement on an open mike that the bombing of Russia was about to begin.